I was born and raised in Texas, in fact, I currently live in Dallas. Everyday, I see men and women in Gucci and Versace. Of course, I also see cowboy hats and rodeo buckles, too.

A bright colored pastel long-sleeved shirt, jeans, boots, big rodeo buckles and a cowboy hat is part of the Basic Texan style. It is a fashion statement of sorts, but this should not be mistaken for the Rhinestone (Urban Cowboy) look that is another style of dressing. Part of the Basic Texan look for women is the prairie skirt that is long, but not floor-length to show off the boots.

There is the Real Cowboy look that is not a fashion statement at all. It is worn because it is the need of the job. Ranch hands wear chaps (a leather garment worn from the belt downward surrounding the legs to protect them from the elements of the range such as sticker bushes.) It is usually worn over Wrangler Jeans and Tony Lama boots. A durable long-sleeved cotton shirt is worn as top, sometimes with a vest.

In social events, you will see the Rhinestone Cowboy look - blue jeans and boots worn with a rhinestone studded shirt (hence the name Rhinestone Cowboy).

To give you an idea of how it is done, I went to the Top Rail Nightclub (2110 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX). It has been around since 1933 and going into its 67th year in business. It is one of Dallas' biggest country and western establishments and certainly the oldest.

Jerry Ferell has been the manager of Top Rail for nine years. He has witnessed a variety of country styles come and go.

Country and western has gone back to the more traditional look," Jerry Ferell commented. He introduced me to several regulars in the club, dressed in western style as expected. I met the manager of a local Western wear store.

"Styles come and go according to the media. Garth Brooks and George Straight influence what people wear. Whoever is in the top of the chart on Country and Western music, that is what people buy."

"Wrangler is an all time favorite brand. There is also Roper and Panhandler Slim. Levi's, Circle T, Double D and Lawman also has a big market share," he commented.

"What about hats?" I asked.

"A hat is an accessory, but it is considered a necessity to finish off the western look. The most popular brands are Roper, Resistor and Wrangler. Before you go out and buy a hat, you should know the rules about them.

First, you never set a hat upside down. Put them on a peg. That way it won't get dirty.

Second, you don't put your hat on top of a bed. It's bad luck!

Third, you have to practice putting them on with your three fingers holding the crease of the hat. Once you perfect that, you can put on your hat like a regular cowboy."

Like any other fashion style, there are 'Do's and Don'ts'. There are also etiquette to follow. Short of sounding like the Dallas Visitors Bureau, Come to Texas so that you can learn more about it and live the life of a cowboy even for a few days!